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The spiked podcast

337: ‘I became a pariah in corporate America’ | Jennifer Sey

Feb 5, 2025
Jennifer Sey, a former US national-champion gymnast and ex-Levi’s brand president, shares her dramatic fall from corporate grace after speaking out against Covid school closures. She discusses the 'awokening' of corporate America and how cancel culture impacted her life. Sey also introduces her new venture, XX-XY Athletics, highlighting the contentious fight over women’s sports. The conversation critiques corporate hypocrisy and dives into the cultural implications of gender identity legislation, advocating for fairness and safety in athletics.
25:07

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Quick takeaways

  • Jennifer Sey's experience demonstrates the severe personal and professional consequences of dissenting against corporate norms in a climate of cancel culture.
  • The controversy surrounding trans women in sports reveals broader societal implications regarding the balance between inclusion and fairness in women's athletics.

Deep dives

The Harsh Reality of Corporate America

Disobedience in corporate America can lead to severe repercussions, as demonstrated by Jennifer Say's experience with Levi's. After expressing her anti-lockdown stance during the COVID-19 pandemic and advocating for the reopening of schools, she faced backlash that included threats to her job security and personal safety. Despite being correct about the detrimental effects of school closures, she struggled to find new employment due to the lingering stigma of her defiance. This illustrates how corporate environments often prioritize conformity over individual thought and dissent may render a professional career untenable.

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